The fashion industry and the environment are subjects that seem distant, but are increasingly closer today.
This is because the market and consumers’ concern with conscious consumption only increases in all sectors, including textiles.
Therefore, it is important to review processes and strategies to minimize environmental impacts and create sustainable solutions that meet demands.
If this was already a very popular discussion before the pandemic, it has gained even more strength in recent months.
This is because research proves that the moment has intensified interest in conscious consumption in the purchasing decisions of society in general..
Therefore, in this content, we list information that proves how this transformation impacts the fashion industry and the environment.
Follow what we have prepared for you to stay updated on the scenario and work with aligned operations to this reality by moving the company forward!
Fashion industry and environment: what is the relationship?
There are many studies proving how much today’s society cares about conscious consumption. In a survey by Accenture, shared by the “EcoDebate” portal, there are some results on how the pandemic intensified this demand:
In this sense, we cannot exclude this consumer concern when addressing the relationship between the fashion industry and the environment. This is because today there are already many technologies and resources for this. Therefore, the concept of “Fast Fashion”, where low quality and durable clothes are created, is being left behind. In content from the PET group, from Sanitary and Environmental Engineering at UFBA (Federal University of Bahia), it is stated that brands dump around 80 billion pieces of clothing per year. However, with the review of habits and lifestyles, this reality has been changing. And the production cycle must consider not only the disposal of parts, but also points that optimize sustainable manufacturing. It is worth remembering that, as also presented by the UFBA PET group, the generation of textile waste represents 175 thousand tons per year, however, only 36 thousand tons are reused. The first steps towards this transformation are already taking place in the national fashion industry. One example is the advances observed in the textile and clothing manufacturing hub in Vale do Itajaí, in Santa Catarina. In terms of “NSC Total”, it is shown how much this market takes advantage of the pandemic crisis to change the product mix, adjust services and even seek more sustainability in processes at this time of recovery. Proof of this is in the results of a 23.7% increase in the production of clothing and accessories in industrial activity in Santa Catarina in January, as well as a 19.7% increase in the manufacture of textile products in this period, compared to 2020.
The country’s big names are already investing in the fashion industry and the environment
It is worth remembering that, as noted in an article by Revista Exame, the fashion industry is still responsible for more carbon emissions than air and sea transport combined. This data is based on information shared by the UN (United Nations).
This is why major brands in the sector continue to invest in technologies that can reduce environmental impact.
C&A, for example, has been a great example of the Brazilian market. The company has already been recognized with first place in the Fashion Revolution Fashion Transparency Index three times.
And Farm has sought investments in sustainable jeans, as well as valuing sustainable choices from cotton to laundry. The brand has also invested in environmental reforestation and promises to plant 1,000 seedlings a day in 2021 to eliminate carbon emissions.
The ESG fashion
Are you aware of ESG? This acronym defines companies’ practices in relation to the environment, social responsibility and governance. Therefore, more and more businesses are paying attention to sustainable initiatives, including the fashion industry. However, this management decision occurs not only because of consumer or market demand. It’s because ESG is now a highly valued indicator among investors. In other words: the better your ESG, the more chances of attracting new opportunities and expanding profitability, even in times of crisis. These pillars are valued because there is a belief that companies with good practices in this regard have a lower probability of risks and losses due to legal disputes, such as labor complaints, environmental damage, or even fraud. To top it off, with these decisions they end up sparking loyalty among consumers who value these guidelines. And since ESG impacts the purchasing decision, it reflects in better revenue for the company. “ESG is a filter that will help people make decisions about consumption and investments. Anyone who doesn’t keep this in mind will be increasingly charged by society”, declared George Wachsmann, wealth manager at Vitreo, in a special report on the subject carried out by UOL Economia. According to the UOL Economia report, there is still no audit in Brazil that certifies whether or not the company is ESG. However, your self-declaration must be proven with socio-environmental reports and information that justifies the presence of these principles in your actions.
4 tips to make clothing more sustainable
Do you know how to make your clothing more sustainable? We can help you with this! Here we list tips shared by the Febratex Summit event (Brazilian Textile Industry Fair) on the subject. These are guidelines based on the experience of specialist Miguel Pedrosa Rodrigues, from Portugal, who on the occasion highlighted the main pillars that management in the fashion industry must consider in this transformation.
- To begin with, sustainability must be part of the company’s strategies and culture. In this sense, leadership needs to be committed to meeting this need.
- Operation optimization is another relevant factor in this change. To do this, invest in modernizing processes and technologies.
- The company’s business model needs to consider reducing impacts on the environment also in areas such as design, research and development, logistics, far beyond cutting and manufacturing.
- Adopting solutions to reduce the company’s environmental footprint and conscious use of natural resources is essential, as well as considering recycling and reuse at all stages of manufacturing.
With these tips, it becomes easier to visualize what must be done to align the fashion industry and the environment in production strategies. However, it is worth remembering that constant updating is essential to make this strategy work. According to Revista Têxtil, technology 4.0 is already used to monitor the production process by 70% of the 80 industries interviewed in a study by Allonda Ambiental. To top it off, 38% of service companies and 24% of infrastructure companies that participated in the survey consider automation to be an essential ally on this path. Is this the reality of your business?
Technology as an ally of the fashion industry and the environment
We have also explained here on the blog how to transition to more efficient and sustainable production in the fashion industry. On this occasion, we remember the importance of purchasing equipment aligned with the 4.0 concept, of the fourth Industrial Revolution.
This is because these technologies help reduce waste, while allowing greater savings for the industry. See some innovations from our portfolio that meet sustainable demands:
By adopting these technologies in production, it is possible to obtain advantages such as:
- Saving raw materials and reducing waste, optimizing quality control;
- Better control of ROI (Return on Investment) and possibility of creating strategies that reflect profitability;
- Improved brand reputation and increased competitiveness.
It is worth remembering that today, in the fashion industry in Brazil, one of the biggest challenges is overcoming the culture of many entrepreneurs who tend to be more reluctant to seek new information and optimizations for their business infrastructure. Therefore, we know that changing equipment and updating processes is not an easy task. However, with planning and also organization, this objective becomes possible. Therefore, considering this investment in environmentally beneficial assets in textile manufacturing can bring excellent returns and sustainable growth. So, if you want to find out more about how innovation and technology help manage the fashion industry and the environment, download our “Textile Innovation” infographic now. The content provides more information about how 4.0 solutions guarantee productivity in manufacturing, aligned with sustainable demands. And if you have any questions, be sure to contact our team!
